Thursday, December 25, 2025

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Photo: Mrs. Crystal Claus, Peppermint the Elf, and Solte Santa, as portrayed by Colleen Payne, Qalch’ema Friedlander, and Jerry Payne, visit the Chifin Native Youth Center in Springfield, Oreg., Sunday, December 14, 2025. (Buffalo’s Fire/Brian Bull)

It’s the holiday season with many families across Indian Country waiting for Santa’s visit to reward all good children with presents.

And while the mainstream depiction is of a jolly old elf who’s white and decked out in a red, fur-lined suit, some Native Santas are inspiring yuletide cheer in their own ways.

Brian Bull of Buffalo’s Fire shadowed one across Oregon.

At the Chifin Native Youth Center in Springfield, Oreg., a packed classroom welcomes Solte Santa, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, Peppermint the Elf, and others from the North Pole.

Jerry Payne, the man behind the curly beard, explains his role.

“’Solte’ in Salish means ’warrior’, so I wanted to honor that. And I’m a veteran myself. Every community has their own style of Santa so I wanted to make sure that the Indigenous Natives got to be represented as well.”

Solte Santa has made nine appearances across Portland, Eugene, and other places this month, listening to kids’ wish lists and posing for family photos.

With a feathered bustle, candy cane staff, and festive beadwork, he contrasts sharply with the Coca-Cola Santa that’s been widely iconic since the 1930s. But Payne says that’s a plus.

“The mall Santa or typical Santa that everybody knows like the Coca-Cola Santa … for whatever reason, kids are scared of that Santa. But I’ve had kids that … their parent would say that they would never come up to take a picture with me. Next thing you know, they’re hugging me and jumping in my lap and we take a good picture. Their parents are crying because they never got a good picture with their kid.”

A study involving an Oregon State University scholar looked at non-traditional Santas.

Bori Csillag, Stirek assistant professor of management, said for many Father Christmases, spreading love and joy for the holidays surpassed the need to conform 100% to the mainstream depiction of Santa Claus.

“They see the fit, they hear the calling in their heart, they know that they are able to portray their role successfully.”

Besides Solte Santa, a First Nations dancer called Powwow Santa has been firing up social media, and there are many others across tribal communities, reminding people that the Christmas spirit exists for everyone.

A Navajo children’s television show returned this month with a holiday special.

Jill Fratis reports.

The “Navajo Highways” special is titled “Ya’ah’teeh Keshmish,” which is “Merry Christmas” in Navajo. It’s the show’s first full holiday themed episode.

The creator of the series, filmmaker, and musician Pete Sands, says the show teaches Navajo language and culture.

“Parts of it is my childhood, and part of it is how I wish my childhood was. It’s a balance of both, and I think shining positivity on Indigenous cultures is important to do.”

The series blends puppetry, storytelling, and Navajo humor, all set along the winding highways of the Navajo Nation.

Sands says that a memory he had of a teacher using puppets to help children listen, gave him the idea to use them in his show.

“Seen a teacher friend of mine who was trying to tell her first grade students to clean up, but they wouldn’t listen to her, so she reached into her desk and she pulled out a hand puppet and started talking to her class, and they listened to her, through the puppet actually, and a lightbulb went off in my head like wait, maybe there’s something to this. Maybe I can use this.”

The holiday episode highlights traditional winter teachings, including family gatherings, gratitude, and the meaning of giving.

Season two of the series begins production next year. Sands says there will be new puppets and new locations, but says the heart of the show remains the same: teaching children simple Diné words and phrases through everyday scenes and conversations.

The “Navajo Highways” holiday special, and season one, is now streaming on the First Nations Experience (FNX) platform.